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We are a small group of techies, media makers and community organizers whose mission is to increase access to mobile telecommunications to the over 2 billion people without affordable coverage and the 700 million with none at all. We work as a bridge between the potential users of the technology and the engineers and developers of these efforts to ensure the technology is deployed and appropriate for use in the developing world.

Rhizomatica started as a way to bring together resources and promote the application of new and novel telecommunications technologies to real-world problems. Our first project was the first "real-world" deployment of the Serval mobile ad-hoc network software to facilitate communications amongst human rights defenders in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria (see:mediaforjusticenigeria.org).

Summary and Background

According to the ITU, 2-3 billion people around the world lack affordable mobile telephone services that facilitate critical communications and access to information. Due to market saturation in developed countries and economic disincentive in the developing world and especially rural areas, mobile coverage proliferation is slowing dramatically worldwide. And yet most telecom regulations forbid the provision of strictly rural service, effectively killing any chance for micro-telco’s to thrive.

Currently, only very large, powerful companies have access to the mobile spectrum and the concessions to provide cellular service. But their business model and the technology that these traditional providers use have proven unable to solve the problem of connecting much of the world. We want to break this oligopoly and allow communities to become service providers as well.

Thanks to a variety of open-source efforts developed in the last few years, it has become technologically and economically feasible for a community or an individual to provide carrier-grade cellular service to thousands of people. Yet no one has so far applied these technologies in the real-world, much less created the needed regulatory reforms or community-appropriate business models. This project has a parallel component that is seeking to develop the legal/regulatory space and secure access to the necessary frequencies to foment the growth of community, rural and micro-telco's.

What We Need

We are now trying to build the first independent GSM (cell phone) network in Mexico, in the state of Oaxaca. The initial part of the project has been demonstrated using OpenBTS software and a low-power test radio (USRP), and has been presented to village assemblies and groups throughout the state, especially in rural and indigenous communities. However, the test equipment we are using has limitations and cannot be deployed as a real-world solution.

This requires an initial investment in hardware, specifically:

a GSM Base Station.

A 2W power amplifier.

Cables and antenna.

A PC on which to run the network management software.

In case we don't reach the required amount to buy all the equipment, we will try anyway to buy as much as possible and cover the remaining expenses in other ways.

The Impact

We are trying to create the first community-owned and operated GSM network in the world (as far as we know). If the project succeeds, we have a number of communities and municipalities interested in investing and setting up networks and generally moving towards making low-cost, reliable networks a reality anywhere. It could also mean a totally different and revolutionary approach to mobile networks in the near future – one that ensures the freedom to communicate and uses telecommunication technology as it was meant to be from the beginning: a way to help people talk to each other.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you can't support us directly with money, there are still many ways to help out:

Spread the word! The more people know about what we are up to, the better.

Think about possible uses for a community-operated network, and tell us about it.

If you are aware of similar projects, based on GSM technology, please tell us where they are. If you are part of it, share your experience with us. We are still trying to figure out all the details and possibilities, and similar experiences from other people are always welcome.

We are going to write software, documentation, test equipment, and a million other things. If you are interested in any of these, get in contact with us!

Flexible FundingThis campaign has ended and will receive all funds raised.

Campaign Closed

This campaign ended on March 24, 2013

Select a Perk

$25USD

Rhizomatica supporter

A mention on the website (including your company or organization logo, if appropriate) and our undying appreciation

5
claimed

$50USD

Rhizomatica T-shirt

A lovely t-shirt with the Rhizomatica logo, a mention on the website and our everlasting love

9
claimed

$150USD

Limited edition print

Signed, limited-edition project print lovingly hand-crafted by a very famous artist and sure to appreciate in value over time ;)
see: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/world_now/2012/07/mexico-artist-minerva-cuevas-phone-art.html